jeudi 21 mai 2015

When we think of the Holy Spirit, there are three distinct biblical
images that come easily to mind. Two are found in the Pentecost story in the
Acts of the Apostles: wind, and fire. The third is found in the accounts of
Jesus’ baptism, where the Spirit is seen in the form of a dove.

There is another image in today’s Gospel (2nd option) that we would not
think of so spontaneously. Four times in his Last Supper discourse Jesus calls
the Holy Spirit an “Advocate” or, in some translations, a “Comforter,” meaning
that the Spirit is, so to speak, on our side.

The Spirit also brings many and varied gifts. In more than one place
St. Paul focuses on the gifts, or charisms, of the Spirit; elsewhere he speaks
of the fruits of the Spirit.

In the last fifty years or so, “charism” has come to be identified in a
special way with Religious Congregations. It has to do partly with the kind of
work they do (teaching, missions, etc.), but more with the unique spirit that
the one Spirit has given each of them.

The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette are no exception. They came
into existence because the Bishop of Grenoble needed a group of priests to do
two things: tend to the needs of pilgrims coming to La Salette, and preach
Missions in the parishes of his diocese. The underlying charism was hinted at
when he included “the ministry of reconciliation” among the things they would
do. He no doubt meant the Sacrament of Penance (Confession), but over time we
and those who share our spirit have come to see Reconciliation as our driving
force. Reconciliation is the filter through which we see the world, the Church,
ourselves, even the Scriptures.

That is why we can engage in a significant variety of works. Wherever
reconciliation is needed, we can find our place. In all this we rely on the
Holy Spirit as our Advocate and Comforter.

We have also another advocate, the one whom, in the “Hail, Holy Queen,”
we call “most gracious Advocate”—Mary who, as she has ever done, cooperates
with the Spirit, at the heart of our life.